Nebraska Library Commission Website

This latest and last round of hardware grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation has arrived in Nebraska and focuses on sustaining library technology
services. To emphasize the need for ongoing local funding to update computer
hardware, the two-phase grant requires matching funds for the hardware component
while providing free advocacy training to help libraries raise those funds.

The two-year
Opportunity Online hardware grants program will provide funding to replace,
and in some cases add, public computer workstations in libraries, as well as for
associated training and tech support. The program is focused on helping
libraries serving populations most in need and which are vulnerable to having
their technology services become obsolete.

Since 80 percent of library funding comes from local sources, libraries
eligible for the Opportunity Online hardware grant program are required to match
the Gates Foundation funds with local dollars to demonstrate community support
for maintaining computer upgrades and to show they can sustain investments in
technology access in the future. The Gates Foundation also covers all travel
expenses for library staff participating in the grant program to attend
Turning the Page: Building Your Library Community, a professional
development conference offered by the Public Library Association that helps
strengthen the skills and confidence library professionals need to increase
awareness of the library's value and motivate local support.

The Gates Foundation awarded funding for the purchase of 122 computers to Nebraska libraries,
valued at $317,200.00.

The Nebraska Library Commission is acting as the intermediary on behalf of
the Foundation for this grant and will be verifying completion of requirements
and dispersing the funds. If you have any questions about the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation's Opportunity Online Hardware Grants, please contact
Christa Burns, 800-307-2665, or 402-471-3107 or
Devra Dragos, 800-307-2665, or 402-471-4335.

The following 37 Nebraska libraries have qualified and are
participating in the Opportunity Online hardware grant: